Glamping and camping options around Mosinee, Wisconsin center on the area's abundant lakes and river access. Located in central Wisconsin at approximately 1,220 feet elevation, Mosinee experiences warm summers with highs around 80°F and cold winters with temperatures often below 10°F. Most campgrounds in the region operate seasonally from May through October, with water access and fishing opportunities serving as primary attractions.
What to do
Water recreation on the Wisconsin River: Council Grounds State Park Campground offers excellent river access. "You can kayak down the river past the dam to and avoid the other boating area. That's where all the motor boats go," explains a camper named Tina.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple sites provide fishing access on local lakes. "Fun fishing and relaxation for a weekend getaway," notes Jordan about Tilleda Falls Campground. The site sits on the Embarrass River with a small cascading waterfall.
Hiking trails: Find well-maintained paths at several parks. At Council Grounds, "Beautiful hiking trails, but watch out for the biting deer flies as the sun goes down! Three kids got attacked in one of the trails and had huge welts and lots of tears," warns Amanda G.
Swimming: Most campgrounds maintain beach areas for cooling off. "They have a nice beach, and boat launch area," mentions a reviewer about Council Grounds State Park, which provides designated swimming zones away from boating traffic.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Many campgrounds offer well-separated sites. At Petenwell Park, "Trees separate sites. People talk with one another," shares Kim T., noting the sociable atmosphere among campers.
Direct waterfront access: Lakefront sites are highly valued. "We stayed at sites right on the lake and they were hands down the most beautiful sites I've personally ever camped at! We didn't need to leave our site!" exclaims Ginny B. about Petenwell Park.
Clean facilities: Campers frequently mention well-maintained amenities. A visitor to Eau Claire dells notes, "Sites are very well taken care of, they have little wagons to buy firewood, and the camp administrator was super nice and helpful."
Seasonal events: Some campgrounds organize themed activities. "This weekend there was a screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas (one of our favorites) and loads of cool decked out campsites," explains Jaime N. about Pine Grove Campground, highlighting their early Halloween celebrations.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most glamping sites near Mosinee operate May through October. Council Grounds State Park stays open year-round, with Amy E. noting, "The campsites were clean and spacious, we had enough room in our site for a tent, screen tent, and a boat."
Insect preparation: Biting flies and mosquitoes can be problematic, especially after rain. "Due to rain they stated they were cancelled which is understandable. We were not pleased at 11pm at night when the rain stopped and they decided to do the fireworks," reports Sarah about Pine Grove Campground.
Limited supplies: Some remote locations require bringing all necessities. At Wilderness Park, "You can buy wood and some supplies but be sure bring what you need as it is a drive into town to get whatever you may have forgotten," advises Dawn A.
Booking early: Premium waterfront sites fill quickly during summer months. "We reserved spot 16 knowing it had lake access (not all spots do)... the park is fairly crowded with lots of seasonal campers," explains Laura B. about Petenwell Park.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and water features. "Very nice campground!! Kid friendly, Clean, Friendly staff. Event weekends and they are a blast," shares Amy S. about Pineland Camping Park.
Group site options: For multi-family trips, reserve designated group areas. "This was our first camping trip as a group with 12 people and 4 cars in July 2023. Biggest con was how open/unshaded our site was. We didn't mind but didn't love being as close to the other group sites as well," notes Tate T. about Council Grounds.
Bring water toys: Lake access is a major attraction for families. "The water area is a favorite for kids and the grounds sport plenty of things to grab their attention from mini-golf to the lake," explains David K. about Pine Grove Campground.
Check shower facilities: Some campgrounds have pay showers. "Showers are paid with $1.25 for 12.5 mins, firewood is extremely overpriced $10 for a small bundle," mentions Jeremy W. about Pineland Camping Park.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger units: Some campgrounds accommodate big rigs better than others. "We parked out 36 foot RV in a wooded site. They have water from sites also. We will be back and next time we will be doing the water site," recommends wayne O. at Petenwell Park.
Hookup availability: Verify what connections are available before booking. At Crazy Js Campground, "There is a bar and a pool and a poolside bar. A small no-wake lake is on premise. and they have golf cart rentals!" notes Kelli V., describing the amenities beyond basic hookups.
Dump station locations: Not all sites offer sewer hookups. "Only downfall is there is no sewer hook ups," mentions wayne O. about Petenwell Park, though they do provide a sanitary dump station.
Seasonal site options: Many campgrounds offer long-term seasonal options. "The park is fairly crowded with lots of seasonal campers... but it's clean, the main bath house is nice and the playground is large," explains Laura B. about Petenwell Park.
